The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties, delivering a major legal victory for the affected parties.
In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court ruled that the Forum of Former Legislators, which instituted the suit seeking the parties’ proscription, lacked the legal standing, also known as locus standi, to bring the case before the court.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Abba Bello, held that the lower court ought not to have entertained the suit because the plaintiffs had no legal basis to institute the action.
As a result, the Court of Appeal declared the judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered by Justice Peter Odo Lifu, null and void. The appellate court subsequently set aside the decision in its entirety.
In addition to overturning the judgment, the court ordered the Forum of Former Legislators to pay a penalty of ₦1 million, further underscoring its position that the suit was improperly filed.
The ruling restores the legal status of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and the other affected political parties, ending the uncertainty created by the earlier Federal High Court decision.
More details on the judgment and its implications are expected as the full court decision becomes available.
